Pontiacs road trip an opportunity to grow + bond as a team

The Bonnyville Pontiacs came back from a southern road trip without any Ws; but not empty handed. Interestingly enough, each game was decided by one goal and two of the four games went to extra time; allowing the Pontiacs to bring home two points.

Head Coach, Rick Swan, says some key players were missing from the line up down south, “we didn’t have Derek Brown, Charlie Gawlicki or Adam Panacci. But we grew up as a team. You never know when that light’s going to go on and everyone’s going to realize what it’s like to be a Junior A hockey player and what’s it like to have an impact. To really create success and find your own identity as a player.” The road trip allowed the club to grow and bond on another level, says the coach.

The Pontiacs were turning heads on the road, Coach Swan recalls a moment after the game versus Okotoks, “a good friend of mine, a well-respected hockey guy, by the name of Brad Robins, who is the Dallas Stars head hockey scout, sought me out after the game. That was a shout out loss and he told me, ‘Rick you guys are going to be the best team in the Junior A Hockey League.'” Coach explains that the team’s structure and play is being noticed at the higher levels, “it’s great to hear, because we know what we’re doing is pushing our guys in the right direction.”

“All model of going young and skilled with players that can think and skate; as well as being model characters, is going to be a winning recipe for success.” Don’t let the recent losses scare you fans, says the coach, “we’re going to be our best in March. So don’t give up on us. Don’t look at the record, the record is irrelevant to us.”

We’re going to be one of the most exciting teams in Bonnyville franchise history! – Rick Swan Head Coach Bonnyville Jr A Pontiacs

On the road, the Pontiacs lost 4-3 in overtime to the Canmore Eagles, 2-1 to the Olds Grizzlys, 3-2 in a shootout to the Okotoks Oilers and a 2-1 loss to the Drumheller Dragons.

The Pontiacs next welcome the Okotoks Oilers to the RJ Lalonde Arena on Friday, December 1st for a 7:30 pm game. Catch live coverage of the game from the stands or on Lakeland Connect, thanks to Lake City Coach, Rapid Response Energy Services and NCSG Scorpion Industries.